[phil200tdi]

But what to buy?

Cash/PCP/Lease?

I'm tempted by an M135i - drive the deal are doing £6.5k off list in the spec I want..

But then I'd love an M235i - but the deals ain't so good and the finance is higher apr.

Also considering a BMW 550i - 4.4l twin turbo v8. But then I'll be in a 3yo car..

M3/RS4/C63 - 5 years old - are these a big risk?

A warranty seems appealing..

[lolololol]

I like the m235i, also and obviously like the M4 but will hang on until someone takes the first 18 month hit on it then jump in.

No bothered about brand new - most of the M's are much better with a few miles on em anyway.

[Dirty Tool]

Since the C63 is on its way out with a replacement there have been some very appealing lease deals on the last ones. I would go for one of these from the list you posted above and experience one of the last great NA engines ever to be made.

[whateva411]

A bit outside the box but have you seen the mk7 VW Golf R.
They had some good deals on them a few months ago on lease. I saw one at the local VW garage and in blue with the 19" alloys it looked impressive!

[Kerr]

Originally Posted by whateva411

A bit outside the box but have you seen the mk7 VW Golf R.
They had some good deals on them a few months ago on lease. I saw one at the local VW garage and in blue with the 19" alloys it looked impressive!

The Golf isn't in the class of the above cars.

Good, buy very overhyped. I'll copy my post from yesterday to save me typing again.


I had a shot in the R, it is pretty decent, but very overhyped in my opinion.

Quite a few cheap parts, especially the seats and the way everyone goes on about it you'd think it was the fastest car on the road. On the move I think a 335i will still be faster.

0-60mph times are 0.6sec quicker with DSG and 4WD, but at 100mph the 335i is only 0.2-0.4 secs behind depending what times you take. The M135i won't have an issue leaving it.

The guys who have them are also getting very poor fuel consumptions. The claims are 40mpg where real world figures by owners seem to be a genuine 25 - 27 mpg. That's awful from a new 2.0.

I've only seen two on the road so far even though they are getting pushed very hard through lease deals.

I spoke to the Aberdeen dealer in February and they were boasting they had sold 20 before anyone seen it.

They had one ready to be registered on the 1st March as their demo and another new one for sale.

4 months later the white one, with the better wheels, has now been pre registered as they can't shift it.

The Seat Leon Cupra also beat it by a margin in track tests. Less power and FWD and still quicker.

The talk about the R is pretty relentless on many of the car forums just now. It is getting pretty boring very quickly.

[whateva411]

Originally Posted by Kerr

The Golf isn't in the class of the above cars.

Good, buy very overhyped. I'll copy my post from yesterday to save me typing again.


I had a shot in the R, it is pretty decent, but very overhyped in my opinion.

Quite a few cheap parts, especially the seats and the way everyone goes on about it you'd think it was the fastest car on the road. On the move I think a 335i will still be faster.

0-60mph times are 0.6sec quicker with DSG and 4WD, but at 100mph the 335i is only 0.2-0.4 secs behind depending what times you take. The M135i won't have an issue leaving it.

The guys who have them are also getting very poor fuel consumptions. The claims are 40mpg where real world figures by owners seem to be a genuine 25 - 27 mpg. That's awful from a new 2.0.

I've only seen two on the road so far even though they are getting pushed very hard through lease deals.

I spoke to the Aberdeen dealer in February and they were boasting they had sold 20 before anyone seen it.

They had one ready to be registered on the 1st March as their demo and another new one for sale.

4 months later the white one, with the better wheels, has now been pre registered as they can't shift it.

The Seat Leon Cupra also beat it by a margin in track tests. Less power and FWD and still quicker.

The talk about the R is pretty relentless on many of the car forums just now. It is getting pretty boring very quickly.

Fair enough. I just saw it parked up when I was looking at a golf for my sister and had a look at the specs.
I thought 40mpg my be a bit optimistic.

But from the OP lists above Id personally go for the m235i or a c63!

[FRG]

My choice would be the C63. If I could justify it I'd have one for the exhaust note alone. I can't imagine it feeling as good through the twisty stuff as anything touched by BMW's M division though.

[gangzoom]

What's the reason for the change??

I personally see the M135/235i as a downgrade from a well modified (engine/suspension+LSD) N54 335/135. Only difference been instead of saving money your spending more...

Only things I would consider trading my 335 for is a full fat M or AMG car, or something totally different like a Tesla S.

[DanTheManc]

I went from a 335i to an M135i. Yes the finish of the 1 series is a step down from the 3 series but the engine, drive chain and fun factor are a big step up. The M135i is a £20k car with a £10k engine rather than a £30k car.

I quite fancy an S3 saloon next. I was reading up about the S3 clubsport concept and it looks great imo. Kind of like a mini RS4.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/a3...attro-revealed

[phil200tdi]

I'm bored I guess. I've had the car 3.5 years and fancy a change.

I'd like something which rides better, sounds good and is fun! But at the same time it needs to work on a 50 mile cross country commute - no lotus exiges etc! Also if it isn't too horrendous on fuel that would be nice..

I just got married so don't know how long I have until I need to be sensible!!! I probably won't modify the next one as much, want to buy a good package rather than a good platform...

I think an m235i is the top of the list at the moment.

[whateva411]

Originally Posted by DanTheManc

I went from a 335i to an M135i. Yes the finish of the 1 series is a step down from the 3 series but the engine, drive chain and fun factor are a big step up. The M135i feels like a £20k car with a £10k engine rather than a £30k car.

I quite fancy an S3 saloon next. I was reading up about the S3 clubsport concept and it looks great imo. Kind of like a mini RS4.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/a3...attro-revealed

That audi looks pretty impressive!

[lolololol]

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

I'm bored I guess. I've had the car 3.5 years and fancy a change.

I'd like something which rides better, sounds good and is fun! But at the same time it needs to work on a 50 mile cross country commute - no lotus exiges etc! Also if it isn't too horrendous on fuel that would be nice..

I just got married so don't know how long I have until I need to be sensible!!! I probably won't modify the next one as much, want to buy a good package rather than a good platform...

I think an m235i is the top of the list at the moment.

I agree the m235i looks very tidy - you'll still mod tho mate ;-)

[Josh1a1h]

Your only option is an m235i if you are worried about fuel!!!

Otherwise i would definitely be getting a C63 from that list....

BUT TBH...
The guys over at rebllion automotive are doing some crazy tuning stuff with the A45amg and CLA45amg

Those on a basic stage1 tune are faster than C63amg!!!!

I would be looking at a CLA45amg and then give rebellion automotive a call... they are doing stage 2 with new turbos now!

[FRG]

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

I'm bored I guess. I've had the car 3.5 years and fancy a change.

I'd like something which rides better, sounds good and is fun! But at the same time it needs to work on a 50 mile cross country commute - no lotus exiges etc! Also if it isn't too horrendous on fuel that would be nice..

I just got married so don't know how long I have until I need to be sensible!!! I probably won't modify the next one as much, want to buy a good package rather than a good platform...

I think an m235i is the top of the list at the moment.

Is a 997 not on your radar? The warranty offered by the likes of RSJ Sportscars is pretty good too.

[phil200tdi]

I like the Porsche but don't fancy the maintenance costs and the noise doesn't do much for me.

Looking at XFR's now too!

[gangzoom]

The M235i is lovely, but at the end of the day its still using essentially the same engine/block as the 335i which was first released 8 years ago.

In my view if your really bored of the 335 you need to move onto something better...like the XFR

[Boz335i]

Go for the M3. For a £200 mod you can make the V8 sound pretty lary.

[phil200tdi]

I'd love an m3 but fancy a change from the e9x interior too..

Maybe I'll go back to an m3 in a few years.

[Boz335i]

Exhaust mod for £200

[u2b]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KETFG4gd6W4[/u2b]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KETFG4gd6W4

Do what I did, make your list and go and try them all before deciding. That way, you won't have any regrets.

[Robin330i]

C63 would be my choice - drove my friends a while back and it was simply awesome.

[225_AB]

I was in a similar position as I had a 330d that the wife now drives and then I had a 640D on a contract hire lease that has just gone back. Looked around, considered various cars. Test drove the 225i on Saturday and that was it. Car ordered due early July. It just made me smile. There are some discounts to be had but obviously nowhere near those on other models. I am just down the road from you in high Wycombe, I think Sytner High Wycombe will do a deal but you will have to push them.

[DanTheManc]

How about a 380bhp GT86/BRZ

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/29..._packages.html